Gov 'ready' to vaccinate healthy over-12s

Thursday 26 August 2021

Jersey health officials say they'll be ready to start vaccinating healthy children aged 12 upwards immediately, if the idea gets the green light from the UK's vaccination council.

The confirmation from Vaccination Lead Becky Sherrington and Deputy Medical Officer of Health Dr Ivan Muscat MBE came after it was reported in The Telegraph this morning that the NHS had made plans to vaccinate 12-year-olds from the first week of term.

The idea is currently under consideration by the Joint Council on Vaccination and Immunisation, whose guidance both Jersey and the UK follow.

Ms Sherrington said the island’s vaccination team were expected updated advice on the next steps of the vaccination programme within the next couple of weeks.

The Telegraph quoted emails they said were sent to trusts from NHS England and NHS Improvements' regional offices.

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:

'NHS draws up plans to vaccinate 12-year-olds'#TomorrowsPapersToday

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— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 25, 2021

The e-mails were said to have read that "in preparation for the possible announcement of a 12-15-old healthy child vaccination programme commencing September 6, we have been tasked by our national team to request some additional detailed planning information from all systems." 

Dr Muscat said that, if the JCVI did approve vaccinating 12-year-olds at the start of the new term, there would be no delay compared to the UK's own scheme.

Covid vaccines were made available to 12 to 15-year-olds who have underlying conditions that put them at high risk of serious illness if they catch covid and/or live with someone extremely vulnerable earlier this month.

Six islanders within this age group have already had their first dose.

Pictured: Dr Ivan Muscat said there would be no delays compared to the UK scheme should the vaccination of over-12-year olds be authorised.

Meanwhile, one in three 16 to 17-year-olds have received their first dose, though the Government is still awaiting the JCVI's confirmation of a date to give them their second dose. 

The latest stats also show that take-up among young people continues to lag. 

As of Sunday 22 August, 66% of 18 to 29-year-olds had got a first dose of the covid jab. This was a rise of just 1% - 142 people – in 11 days. 

We've published the latest statistics regarding the number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered as at Sunday, 21 August 2021.

Statistics are published twice a week. Figures will be updated online, every Monday for the previous Wednesday, and every Thursday for the previous Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mR5FK1kbDP

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) August 26, 2021

Ms Sherrington noted that there will be “lots” of local 18-year-olds travelling to university for the first time in September, and urged them to “get vaccinated so that they can enjoy the fun social aspects of University such as Freshers week and enjoy settling into the first term.”

She added that she was “pleased” with uptake among younger priority groups so far and told them to “keep it up”.

"The number of Islanders becoming fully vaccinated continues to grow every week which is great, particularly as we have now entered Stage 7 of the Reconnection Roadmap and people will begin to socialise more, particularly at bars and clubs,” Ms Sherrington said.

Pictured: Vaccination Programme Head Becky Sherrington said they awaited a decision from the JCVI over the next couple of weeks.

She also noted that islanders are now able to walk in to the Fort Regent Vaccination Centre at any time that suits them to get their first or second dose of the covid vaccine, and medical staff are on hand to answer any questions about it.